KR20120127416A - System and method for temperature limiting in a sealed solar energy collector - Google Patents

Abstract

An insulated solar panel is provided that provides a solar collector with means to limit stagnation temperature and prevent damage: The temperature limit is an insulated solar panel, which isolates internal components from the environment, and is passive in a sealed solar collector. Provided by using a closed system, it also allows an alternative implementation as part of a sealed solar collector external temperature limiting system and / or as an active system. At a predetermined temperature, the temperature inducing action causes a drastic change from the thermal isolation state to the state of strong thermal coupling. The set of siphon circulation pipes also provides a manual closure system for temperature limitation.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TEMPERATURE LIMITATION IN A SEALED SOLAR COLLECTOR {SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TEMPERATURE LIMITING IN A SEALED SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTOR}

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to solar energy collectors, and in particular embodiments of the present invention relate to temperature limits inside a sealed solar energy collector.

Referring to FIG. 3, which is a typical solar collecting system, a solar unit 300, also known as a solar collector, solar collector, solar panel, solar module, can be used to provide solar power within residential or industrial structures. Radiant energy is converted into thermal energy for various applications 302. Typical applications include water heating 304, space heating 306, industrial process heating 308, solar cooling 309, and other applications 310. Various solar collectors are commercially available and the deployment, operation and management of conventional solar collectors are well known in the industry. For the sake of clarity herein, a single concept application is often used but is not meant to be limited to a single application, and a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the plurality of applications is included. In the context of this specification, reference to the term solar collection system generally refers to one or more solar collectors, application parts, and associated support parts.

Insulation panels that are low transmissive to thermal infrared, while transmissive to solar radiation, are both US 4,480,632, US 4,719,902, US 4,815,442, US 4,928,665, and to Klier and Novik. Published in US 5,167,217. Insulated panels, also referred to as transparent insulating materials or thermal diodes, may be honeycombs made of synthetic materials or glass that are transparent to solar infrared (IR) and visible wavelength light, while the material and / or panel geometry and optical properties of the material As a result, it is opaque to thermal IR back-radiation. At the same time, the transparent insulating material is a heat convection suppressor as a result of the geometrical and physical properties of the material and a heat conduction suppressor as a result of the thermal properties of the material, including for example a thin walled honeycomb.

The imbalance of transparency versus heat reflecting infrared radiation and the limited energy loss due to low convection and conduction to incoming solar radiation allows the formation of thermal diodes and the use of captured heat for heat capture and various energy applications. The use of insulating panels allows for very large energy conversion efficiencies over a much wider range of ambient temperatures and conditions, especially in lower climates, compared to systems without insulating panels. In certain implementations, the solar absorbing surface is coated with a spectral selective layer, which suppresses the re-emission of heat in the thermal infrared spectrum, thereby eliminating the need for a transparent insulator that is substantially opaque in the thermal infrared spectrum. Remove

Solar collectors with transparent insulating materials are known as insulated solar panels. In this case "insulatd" refers to a transparent insulating material, in contrast to conventional insulators typically used on the back and sides of solar collectors. Insulated solar panels are available from TIGI, Neve Yarak, Israel. Insulated solar panels provide solar collectors with very large energy conversion efficiencies compared to conventional solar collectors. This occurs especially in the case of one high latitude in winter, under conditions of significant temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the temperature of the circulating fluid (eg heated water) inside the collector. Plot of collector efficiency h as a function based on temperature, where X = ΔT / G, where ΔT is the temperature difference between the atmosphere and the average collector temperature, and G is all solar radiation Referring to FIG. 8, which is a global solar radiation, a higher value of X indicates a lower temperature and less sunny condition. As can be seen from FIG. 8, the efficiency of an insulated solar panel remains high compared to conventional flat panel collectors when the environment is lower and / or the amount of available solar radiation is reduced. When the efficiency of a typical conventional flat panel collector drops to about zero (eg, in the range of 0 to 10%), the insulated solar panel can still be operated at an efficiency of about 40%. While providing more benefits than conventional solar panels, greater efficiency in insulated solar panels also poses a challenge to operation and management that must be undertaken for successful operation.

Accordingly, there is a need for new solutions to operate insulated solar panels, particularly innovative solutions to undertake internal temperature limitations in insulated solar panels to prevent degradation or significant damage.

A solar collector comprising an absorber and an internal insulator in accordance with the teachings of an embodiment of the invention; And a heat transfer mechanism, wherein the heat transfer mechanism is on a first side of the solar collector and on the first insulator and on a first section in thermal contact with the absorber, on a second side of the inner insulator. A second section, the second side facing the first side and in thermal contact with an external environment of the solar collector; And an actuator; Below a pre-defined temperature of the first side, the actuator maintains the first side and the second side in thermal isolation, and above the pre-defined temperature the actuator is from the first side. It is operated to enable the transfer of heat to the second side.

In an alternative embodiment, the solar collector is a sealed insulated solar panel. In another alternative embodiment, the second section is inside a sealed insulated solar panel. In another alternative embodiment, the second section is outside the solar collector. In another optional embodiment, the environment comprises a support structure of a solar collector. In another optional embodiment, the second section is in thermal contact with a portion of the outer casing of the solar collector. In another optional embodiment, the pre-defined temperature is in the range of 90 to 120 ° C. In another optional embodiment, the pre-defined temperature is 120-220 ° C.

In an optional embodiment, the heat transfer mechanism is a heat pipe and the heat pipe comprises a first end of the heat pipe corresponding to the first section of the heat transfer mechanism; A second end of the heat pipe corresponding to the second section of the heat transfer mechanism; A transfer pipe for transferring heat between the first section and the second section; And a working fluid inside the heat pipe configured to function with the heat pipe as an actuator.

In an optional embodiment, the heat transfer mechanism further comprises an internal circulation pipe corresponding to the first section; An external circulation pipe corresponding to the second section; An actuator valve corresponding to an actuator, the actuator valve connecting an internal circulation pipe to an external circulation pipe at a first location; And a circulation connector pipe connecting the inner circulation pipe to the outer circulation pipe at the second location; Below the pre-limited temperature of the circulating fluid in the inner circulation pipe, the actuator valve is closed and the circulating fluid flows into the inner circulating pipe, above the pre-limited temperature of the circulating fluid the actuator valve is opened and the circulating fluid is released from the inner circulation pipe. It flows through the outer circulation pipe via the valve and into the inner circulation pipe via the circulation connector pipe, transferring heat from the first side to the environment. In another optional embodiment, the first location is in the circulating input pipe. In another optional embodiment, the second location is in the circular output pipe.

In an optional embodiment, the heat transfer mechanism is a thermal siphon, the thermal siphon comprising: a siphon circulation pipe corresponding to the first section; An external circulation pipe corresponding to the second section; An actuator valve corresponding to an actuator, the actuator valve connecting an siphon circulation pipe to an external circulation pipe at a first location; And a circulation connector pipe connecting the siphon circulation pipe to the external circulation pipe at the second location; Below the pre-limited temperature of the circulating fluid in the siphon circulation pipe, the actuator valve is closed, and above the pre-limited temperature, the actuator valve is opened and the circulating fluid is passed from the siphon circulation pipe via the circulation connector pipe via the external circulation pipe and It flows into the siphon circulation pipe via the actuator valve and transfers heat from the first side to the environment by the heat siphon effect.

In an optional embodiment, the heat transfer mechanism is a venting tube, the venting tube comprising an inner portion corresponding to the first section; An outer portion corresponding to the second section that opens to the outer environment of the solar collector; An actuator valve corresponding to an actuator, wherein the actuator valve connects a first section to the section; And a fluid input pipe operatively connected to the first section; Below the pre-limited temperature of the venting fluid in the first section, the actuator is closed and the first section and the second section are substantially thermally isolated, and the actuator is opened above the pre-limited temperature; A portion of the venting fluid is released from the first section to the environment to transfer heat from the first side to the environment, and the fluid input pipe provides an additional venting fluid that is substantially equal to the amount of venting fluid released. In another alternative embodiment, at a substantially pre-defined temperature a portion of the venting fluid evaporates into steam and vapor is released into the environment when the actuator is opened. In another optional embodiment, at a substantially pre-defined temperature a portion of the venting fluid evaporates into steam and the actuator is an air vent configured to open when sufficient vapor accumulates in the first section, thereby pre-defining an amount of The heated steam is vented into the environment.

In an optional embodiment, the solar collector is a sealed insulated solar panel and the heat transfer mechanism is an air venting conduit, the air venting conduit comprising: an inner portion corresponding to the first section; An outer portion corresponding to the second section and open to the outside environment of the sealed insulated solar panel; And an actuator valve corresponding to an actuator, wherein the actuator valve comprises an actuator valve connecting a first section to the section; Below the pre-limited temperature of the first side, the actuator valve is closed and the first and second sections are substantially thermally isolated, and above the pre-limited temperature, the actuator valve is opened such that air is released from the first region of the environment. It is allowed to flow to the second section through the first section and via the actuator valve, thereby transferring heat from the first side to the environment.

According to the spirit of an embodiment of the present invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: a sealed insulated solar panel comprising an absorber and an internal insulator; And a heat pipe, the heat pipe comprising: a first section in thermal contact with the absorber on the sealed side of the solar panel and on the first side of the inner insulation; A second section on a second side of an inner insulator, the second side facing the first side, the second section in thermal contact with an external environment of a sealed insulated solar panel; And a transfer pipe for transferring heat between the first section and the second section; Below the pre-defined temperature of the first side, the first section and the second section are substantially thermally isolated and the heat pipe is operated to transfer heat from the first section to the second section above the pre-defined temperature. do.

In an optional embodiment, the second section is inside a sealed insulated solar panel. In another optional embodiment, the second section is external to the sealed insulated solar panel. In another optional embodiment, the pre-defined temperature is in the range of 90 to 120 ° C. In another optional embodiment, the pre-defined temperature is in the range of 120-220 ° C. In another optional embodiment, the heat pipe is heat isolated between the first and second sections below a pre-defined temperature and heat between the first and second sections at a substantially pre-limited temperature or above a pre-limited temperature. It is configured to operate as a passive thermal switch providing contact.

According to the spirit of an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising: an internal circulation pipe in thermal contact with an absorber on a first side of an internal insulator; An outer circulation pipe on the second side of the inner insulator, the second side facing the first side and in thermal contact with an external environment of the sealed insulated solar panel; An actuator valve connecting the inner circulation pipe to the outer circulation pipe at a first location; And a sealed insulated solar panel comprising a circulation connector pipe connecting the inner circulation pipe to the outer circulation pipe at a second location; Below the pre-limited temperature of the circulating fluid in the inner circulation pipe, the actuator valve is closed and the circulating fluid flows in the inner circulation pipe, above which the actuator valve is opened and the circulating fluid opens the actuator valve from the inner circulation pipe. Via the outer circulation pipe and via the circular connector pipe to the inner circulation pipe, thereby transferring heat from the first side to the environment.

In an optional embodiment, the external circulation pipe is inside a sealed insulated solar panel. In another optional embodiment, the external circulation pipe is external to the sealed insulated solar panel. In another optional embodiment, the actuator valve is a manual actuator valve. In another optional embodiment, the actuator valve is an active actuator valve. In another alternative embodiment, the first location is in the circular input pipe. In another optional embodiment, the second location is in the circular output pipe.

According to the spirit of an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising: an internal circulation pipe in thermal contact with an absorber on a first side of an internal insulator; A siphon circulation pipe in thermal contact with the internal circulation pipe; An outer circulation pipe on the second side of the inner insulator, the second side facing the first side and in thermal contact with the external environment of the sealed insulated solar panel; An actuator valve connecting the siphon circulation pipe to the external circulation pipe at the first location; And a sealed insulated solar panel comprising a circulation connector pipe connecting the siphon circulation pipe to the external circulation pipe at the second location; In the siphon circulation pipe the actuator valve is closed below the pre-limited temperature of the circulating fluid, the actuator valve is opened above the pre-limited temperature and the circulating fluid is passed from the siphon circulation pipe via the circulation connector pipe and through the external circulation pipe and through the actuator valve. It flows through the siphon circulation pipe via to transfer heat from the first side to the environment. In an optional embodiment, the external circulation pipe is inside a sealed insulated solar panel. In another optional embodiment, the outer net pipe is in a sealed insulated solar panel part. In another optional embodiment, the actuator valve is a manual actuator valve. In another optional embodiment, the actuator valve is an active actuator valve. In another optional embodiment, the first location is in the circulating input pipe. In another embodiment, the second location is in the circular output pipe.

According to the spirit of an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising: a sealed insulated solar panel comprising an absorber and a heat insulator; And a venting tube, the venting tube comprising: a first section in thermal contact with the absorber on the first side of the insulator inside the sealed insulated solar panel; A second section on a second side of the insulator, the second side facing the first side and opening to an external environment of the sealed insulated solar panel; An actuator valve connecting the first section to the section; And a fluid input pipe operatively connected to the first section; Below the pre-limited temperature of the venting fluid in the first section, the actuator valve is closed and the first and second sections are substantially thermally isolated, and the actuator valve is opened above the pre-limited temperature; A portion of the venting fluid is released from the first section to the environment thereby transferring heat from the first side to the environment; The fluid input pipe provides an additional venting fluid that is substantially equal to the amount of vented fluid released. In one optional embodiment, at a substantially pre-defined temperature, a portion of the venting fluid is evaporated into steam and steam is released into the environment when the actuator valve is opened. In another optional embodiment, at a substantially pre-defined temperature a portion of the venting fluid is evaporated to steam and the actuator valve is an air vent configured to open when sufficient vapor has accumulated in the first section, thereby pre-defining an amount of Vent the heated steam into the environment.

According to the spirit of an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising: a sealed insulated solar panel comprising an absorber and a heat insulator; And an air venting conduit, the air venting conduit comprising: a first section in thermal contact with the absorber on a first side of the insulator inside the sealed insulated solar panel; A second section on a second side of the insulator, the second side facing the first side and opening to an external environment of the sealed insulated solar panel; And an actuator valve connecting the first section to the section; Below the pre-limited temperature of the first side, the actuator valve is closed and the first and second sections are substantially thermally isolated, and the actuator valve is opened above the pre-limited temperature such that air is released from the first region of the environment. It flows through the section and via the actuator valve to the second section, thereby transferring heat from the first side to the environment.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments are described by way of example only.
1 is an illustration of a sealed insulated solar panel with a heat pipe.
FIG. 2 is a view of a sealed insulated solar panel with a metal covered heat sink. FIG.
3 is a diagram of a typical solar collecting system.
4 is a diagram of temperature flow through multiple sealed insulated solar panels with multiple circulation pipes.
5 is a view of a sealed insulated solar panel with independent heat siphons.
6A is a diagram of an exemplary implementation of a fluid venting pipe.
6B is a diagram of an exemplary implementation of a vapor venting pipe.
7A is a diagram of an exemplary implementation of an air venting sub-assembly.
7B is a diagram of a second exemplary implementation of an air venting conduit.
8 is a plot of collector efficiency.

The principle and operation of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be readily understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. Embodiments of the present invention are systems and methods for temperature limitation in sealed solar energy collectors. The system facilitates passive or active limiting of the internal temperature of the solar collector by the automated temperature inducing action of the actuator which causes a sudden change in the state of thermal isolation from the environment into one of the strong thermal couplings.

In insulated solar panels, innovative solutions are required to allow operation at typically significantly higher temperatures than in conventional solar collectors, to allow temperature limitations to prevent damage to the insulated solar panels. The features of the embodiments described below for temperature limiting are conventional systems that stop operating when the temperature limit depends on the application connected for temperature limiting or when the temperature of the solar collector exceeds the conventional operating range. Alternatively, temperature limits are provided by insulated solar panels. This feature allows the insulated solar panels to operate at significantly higher temperatures than conventional solar collection systems, thereby continually distributing the collected solar energy to the application. Other features of the embodiments described below may be implemented without regard to the sealed components of the solar collector. This feature allows the isolation of the internal components of the solar collector from the environment while facilitating the limitation of the internal temperature via thermal coupling with the environment. Additional features facilitated by the embodiments below also allow implementation as a passive closed system in a sealed solar collector while allowing alternative implementations as active systems and / or portions of a temperature limiting system outside of the sealed solar collector. Include.

In order to extend the life of the solar collector and to ensure the performance of the solar collector, the solar collector is sometimes sealed, for example with a vacuum tube collector or a rare gas filled collector. In the present embodiment, such a seal enables the isolation of internal components, such as transparent insulators, from the environment. Sealing is particularly important in insulated solar panels, because otherwise (water) condensation occurs on the inner surface of the collector front panel where the transparent insulator is in contact with the transparent cover of the panel. Such condensation is difficult to remove in the presence of transparent insulators and can result in short term efficiency reduction and long term collector degradation. In the context of this specification, the term environment generally refers to the outer region of the solar collector and is also known as the ambient atmosphere. The environment includes, but is not limited to, material (s) adjacent to the solar collector, including, but not limited to, building walls and support structures for air or vacuum and / or solar units surrounding the solar collector, It includes. Sealing reduces the risk of condensation and residual chemical contamination. Sealed enclosures also allow the replacement of atmospheric gases in solar collectors with media of good thermal properties (slow condensation and convection), such as argon or krypton. However, sealing solar collectors poses new challenges, such as risks associated with pressure buildup and catastrophic failure of enclosures. For insulated solar panels, this risk is exacerbated by the increased volume of the solar panel by the insertion of a transparent insulating layer, with a wider range of temperature variations possible by the transparent insulator.

For the solar collecting system, two temperatures, the internal temperature of the solar collector and the temperature of the circulating fluid are discussed. In the context of this specification, the term internal temperature refers to the internal temperature of a solar collector or insulated solar panel, typically in the region near the absorber. In the context of the present specification, the term absorber typically refers to a black body (usually a high thermal conductivity of metal) that is responsible for absorbing solar radiation and converting solar radiation into heat, which heat subsequently It is delivered out of the system by a heat exchange fluid (circulating fluid). Under extreme conditions, the internal temperature of the solar collector can reach a stagnation temperature, which means that energy is not recovered from the system, ie solar radiation enters the panel but additional energy is returned to the solar collection system. It is not temperature. The temperature of the circulating fluid is typically limited by the safety device associated with the application. One prevalent safety device is a pressure relief valve that is used to prevent damage and overheating of the components of the application.

Under normal operating conditions, conventional flat panel solar collectors are typically operated at internal temperatures in the range of 30 to 90 ° C and have stagnation temperatures of about 130 ° C, possibly up to 200 ° C. Conventional vacuum tube solar collectors can reach a maximum operating temperature of about 130 ° C and have a stagnation temperature of about 200 ° C.

As mentioned above, insulated solar panels provide solar collectors with very large energy conversion efficiencies compared to conventional solar collectors. Correspondingly, the stagnation temperature in the insulated solar panel is considerably higher than conventional solar collectors, typically up to about 250 ° C and possibly with an internal temperature of 270 to 300 ° C. If the internal temperature of the insulated solar panel is not limited, the internal temperature reaches this significantly higher stagnation temperature, resulting in damage to the components of the insulated solar panel. In contrast, conventional solar collector systems typically are stagnant at temperatures in the range of 160-200 ° C. and are designed to withstand component damage at these temperatures, and there is no need to limit the temperatures in solar collectors.

Conventional solar collecting systems include features to prevent overheating and / or freezing and damage to the various components of the solar collecting system. Solar radiation is intermittently and stochastic, and the solar gain of the solar collector changes. The load of thermal energy from one or more applications also changes over time. Thus, conventional solar collecting systems face potential overheating of the circulating fluid whenever the solar gain and load are significantly mismatched. One widespread practice to prevent damage to the solar collecting system is to use an active mechanism to cover the solar collector and to prevent sunlight from reaching the absorber. Another widespread practice is the continuous circulation of circulating fluid in the system for drawing heat from the solar collector to related applications, which application provides a pressure relief valve guard. Pressure relief valves are used to prevent overheating and damage to the components of the application. Components of a conventional solar panel can be selected to withstand conventional stagnation temperatures and are reactivated when the internal temperature of the solar collector drops to the operating temperature range.

In order to operate the insulated solar panel at the above-mentioned temperatures and to prevent damage to the insulated solar panel and the solar collecting system, an innovative solution requires limiting the stagnant temperature of the insulated solar panel. One innovative solution involves the use of a heat pipe as a passive heat switch, where the temperature inducing action at a pre-determined temperature causes a sudden change from the state of thermal isolation from the environment to the state of strong thermal coupling. A related innovative solution involves the use of at least a second set of circulating pipes, wherein the temperature inducing action of the actuator is achieved by a strong thermal coupling using the second set of circulating pipes from the internal circulating pipe in a state of heat isolation from the environment. The condition of the ring causes sudden changes.

Heat pipes are widely used in certain families of conventional solar collecting systems, known as vacuum tubes, to transfer heat from the solar heat collector to the application. When the internal temperature of the solar collector exceeds the desired operating temperature range of the application, various techniques are typically used to stop the heat pipe transfer mechanism. Publicly available design guides (e.g., Thermomax Technical Design Guide and articles published by Kingspan Group Plc of West Yorkshire, UK (e.g., 2010) Dr. F. Mahjouri's Vacuum Tube Liquid-Steam (Heat-Pipe) Collector, published by Mariland Columbia Thermo Technologies, USA, focuses on techniques for stopping the heat transfer mechanism. Prevent damage to the components of the application While the temperature of the solar collector continues to exceed the operating temperature of the application, the heat pipes remain inoperable, thus protecting the application from excess temperatures. Likewise, components of conventional solar panels that are not damaged by conventional stagnation temperatures will be selected.

As mentioned above, in insulated solar panels, innovative solutions are required to operate at significantly higher temperatures typically than in conventional solar collectors, to enable temperature limitations to prevent damage to the insulated solar panels. Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a diagram of a sealed insulated solar panel with a heat pipe. The low emissivity (low-E) glass 15 is supported by the frame 40 so that the light absorber (i.e., near infrared and visible wavelength light is typically referred to here) is absorbed through the insulator 20. Allow 30 to be reached. Circulation pipe 100 (end view shown by circles below / behind absorber 30) circulates the transfer fluid to absorb heat from absorber 30 and transfers heat to the application. Note that the connection between the circulation pipe 100 and the application is not shown. Note also that a single solar panel is shown for clarity. Typically, multiple solar panels are used in a series and / or parallel connection between solar panels in a solar array. In such a case the connection of the single solar panel to the circulation pipe and from the circulation pipe can be from (each) application or from one or more solar panels or from an application or one or more solar panels. Configurations and connections between solar panels and applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The inner insulation 410 separates the inner region of the insulated solar panel using the absorber 30 from the region in contact with the environment. Side insulator 405 and rear insulator 420 provide thermal barriers on the side and back, respectively. Optionally, the inner insulation 410 can be selected and formed from other parts of the insulated solar panel so that no individual back insulator 420 is required.

The heat pipe 102 includes a first section 460 in thermal contact with the absorber 30 on the first side of the inner insulator 410 inside the sealed unit; Delivery pipe 455; And a second section 450 located on the second side of the inner insulator 410 and in thermal contact with the external environment of the sealed insulated solar panel. In the context of the present specification, thermal contact generally refers to two objects being configured so that heat can be exchanged between the two objects with respect to each other. In contrast, thermal insulation generally refers to areas where the heat exchange between them is substantially zero.

In one preferred embodiment, the second section 450 of the heat pipe 102 is inside the sealed unit and thermal contact with the environment may take place via the casing of the sealed unit. In an alternative implementation (not shown), the second section 450 may be located outside the sealing unit and in direct thermal contact with the environment and / or with the mounting hardware of the insulated thermal unit. In general, in the described embodiments, in the case where the second section is located outside the sealed unit, the function of the internal insulation 410 is performed by the rear insulator 420 and / or the lateral insulation 405. Can be.

The transfer pipe 455 is for transferring heat between the first section 460 and the second section 450. Below the pre-defined temperature in the first section (or substantially equal to the temperature on the first side of the inner insulation 410 or in the region near the absorber 30), the first and second sections are substantially Heat-insulated, and above the pre-defined temperature, the heat pipe is operated to transfer heat from the first section to the second section. When the heat pipe is not operated and the first and second sections are substantially thermally isolated, when operated, a relatively small heat transfer (operating to provide thermal contact between the two sections for operation of the heat pipe) Note that there may be). A feature of the present embodiment is the desirability of heat increase (rising) in the first section until a pre-determined temperature is reached that results in minimal heat loss from the first section during normal operation. In contrast, heat pipes are conventionally used to deliver the maximum amount of heat starting with the minimum temperature.

The heat pipe is passive heat providing thermal isolation between the first and second sections below a pre-defined temperature and thermal contact between the first and second sections at a substantially pre-limited temperature or above a pre-limited temperature. It is configured to operate as a switch.

In one embodiment, the pre-defined temperature in the region of the absorber 30 is a temperature in the range of 90 to 100 ° C. In another embodiment, the pre-defined temperature is in the range of 130 to 150 ° C. Based on this detailed description, one skilled in the art can select an appropriate working temperature for a particular solar collector. In the context of the present specification, the term working fluid generally refers to a fluid inside a heat pipe, selected to function in a given (pre-determined) temperature range. In an embodiment of the invention, the working fluid undergoes a phase change from liquid to gas at the desired pre-defined temperature for the first and second sections, i.e. from the state of substantial heat isolation to the state of heat transfer, evaporating. Pressure in the working fluid and the heat pipe is selected so as to, or ie, place the two sections in thermal contact.

In an alternative embodiment, the heat pipe (not shown in FIG. 1) is in the shape of a loop. A closed loop heat pipe, also referred to simply as a heat pipe loop, is composed of two parallel conduits, whereby after evaporation in an evaporation bulb, the internal fluid flows along the first half of the loop. After moving to the state and condensing in the condensation bulb, it returns to the liquid state by gravity means along the second half of the loop.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 2 is an illustration of a sealed insulated solar panel with a metal covered heat sink. As described above, a feature of embodiments herein is that temperature limitations are provided by insulated solar panels, unlike conventional systems that rely on connected applications for temperature limitations. An additional feature of the embodiment of FIG. 2 is the circulation of the fluid in multiple paths for the solar collector. Circulation within the sealed solar collector may be used for temperature limitation of the sealed solar collector.

In the present context, the term circulating fluid generally refers to a fluid that flows from a solar panel (array) to an application and vice versa through a solar collection system. Depending on the application, the circulating fluid may be water, a glycol such as ethylene glycol, a mixture of water and glycol, or some other fluid. One skilled in the art can select a circulating fluid based on a particular application.

The circulating fluid enters the solar panel via the circulating input pipe 200, and the fluid flows through the connecting pipe 100 that absorbs heat from the absorber 30, thereby increasing the temperature of the circulating fluid. The circulation pipe 100 is also referred to as internal circulation pipe. Circulating fluid is discharged from the solar panel via the circulation output pipe 470. At a predetermined temperature, the actuator valve 480 is opened, allowing the circulating fluid to circulate in the outer circulation pipe 202 as well. The inner insulation 410 separates the inner region of the insulated solar panel including the absorber 30 from the region in contact with the environment. The circulating fluid in the outer circulation pipe is in thermal contact with the environment via the outer circulation pipe 202 via the metal cover heat sink 204, dissipating heat from the circulating fluid in the outer recycle pipe to the environment, whereby the outer recycle Reduce the temperature of the circulating fluid in the pipe. The circulating connector pipe 475 provides a path for circulating fluid in the outer circulating pipe to mix with the circulating fluid in the circulating pipe 100 and then exits from the solar panel via the circulating output pipe 470.

When the flow of circulating fluid to and from the insulated solar panel is interrupted, the greatest risk of overheating is caused. In this situation, there is no flow between the insulated solar panel and the application, but when the internal temperature rises, the actuator valve 480 is opened and the fluid is opened by the external siphoning mechanism 202 and the inner circulation pipe 100 by the thermosiphon mechanism. Will begin to cycle counter-clockwise in a limited loop between).

The connection between the circulation pipe 100 and other system components is shown as a circulation input pipe 200 from other system component (s) and circulation output pipe 470 to other system component (s). As described above with reference to FIG. 1, a single solar panel is shown for clarity. Typically, the circulation input pipe 200 comes from one or more solar panels or from one or more applications and the circulation output pipe 470 is connected to one or more solar panels or from one or more applications and so on. To form. When the solar panel is at the beginning of the array, a series of connections typically exit from the application, or when the solar panel is at the end of the array. A series of connections can also be connected to / from other solar panels. Parallel connections are typically connected to / from multiple solar panels using each of the shared input pipes 200 / circulating output pipes 470. See the description of FIG. 4 below for a non-limiting example of connection and flow through the solar array.

The actuator valve 480 is operated by raising the temperature in the region of the internal circulation pipe 100, ie by the temperature of the fluid circulating in the circulation pipe 100. In particular, the operating temperature of actuator valve 480 is designed to allow operation of the solar panel until the temperature in the region of absorber 30 reaches a pre-defined temperature. One preferred embodiment causes the actuator valve 480 to be a manual flow valve. Manual flow valves are known in the art. A common practice consists of waxes such as those available from Rostra Vernatherm LLC, Connecticut Bristol, USA. In one alternative implementation, actuator valve 480 is an active valve, which is started by the state, mode of operation, or other state of the solar collecting system. One implementation of an active valve is an electronically actuated valve that is connected to a temperature sensor in the circulating fluid or at another significant point in the solar panel.

In the case of the active actuator valve 480, the actuator valve may be located in various places external to the sealed solar panel, but is not limited thereto. This configuration increases the complexity of the system, but facilitates separation of the circulating fluid from the exterior of the sealed solar panel, allowing the external circulation pipe 202 to be located in the environment. The circular connector pipe 475 may be located inside the sealed solar panel or outside the sealed solar panel. It is envisaged that other configurations of actuator valve 480, external circulation pipe 202 and circulation connector pipe 475 may be used depending on the particular application.

When actuated, the actuator valve 480 allows the circulating fluid to also circulate within the outer circulation pipe 202 and release heat to the environment. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator valve 480 and the external circulation pipe 202 are internal to the sealed insulated solar panel and the thermal contact with the sealed solar panel external environment is via the metal cover heat sink 204. Alternative implementations of heat sinks including other materials and / or configurations in the case of sealed solar panels are possible, but are not limited to such. In one alternative implementation (not shown), the external circulation pipe 202 may be located outside the sealed unit and in direct thermal contact with the environment and / or with mounting hardware of the thermal insulation unit.

Depending on the application, the size and / or configuration of the circulation pipe 100, the external circulation pipe 202, and / or the actuator valve 480 may vary the amount of flow between the circulation pipe 100 and the external circulation pipe 202. Can be configured to control. In a non-limiting example, 50% of the fluid flows through the circulation pipe 100 and 50% of the fluid flows through the external circulation pipe 202. In another non-limiting example, 80% of the fluid flows through circulation pipe 100 and 20% of the fluid flows through external circulation pipe 202. Based on this description, those skilled in the art can configure a circulation for a particular application.

Referring to FIG. 4, which is a temperature flow through multiple sealed insulated solar panels with multiple circulation pipes, one can see the temperature at various points in the flow. At temperature T1, circulating fluid from application 302 enters first solar collector 400A via circulation input pipe 200. Under normal operation, the circulating fluid circulates through the circulating pipe 100 where the fluid absorbs heat and increases the input temperature T1 of the circulating fluid to the temperature T2. The fluid exits from solar collector 400A via circulating output pipe 470. At a predefined temperature, actuator valve 480 is opened, allowing the circulating fluid to circulate in the outer circulation pipe 202 as well. The circulating fluid in the outer circulation pipe 202 releases heat to the environment, reducing the temperature of the circulating fluid in the outer circulation pipe to the temperature T3. The circulation connector pipe 475 provides a path for the circulating fluid in the outer circulation pipe 202 to mix with the circulating fluid in the inner circulation pipe 100. As a result, the combined fluid exits the solar collector 400A via the circulation output pipe 470 at temperature T4. The temperature T4 is less than the temperature T4 and greater than the temperature T3 to provide a reduced temperature T4 for input to the solar collector 400B. In this regard, the reduced temperature is compared to the temperature T2. The increased temperature T2 (relative to the input temperature T1) in the conventional solar collector is fed as temperature T4 to the next solar panel (s), in this case solar collector 400B.

Solar collector 400B operates similarly to the description of solar collector 400A: at temperature T4 the input circulating fluid circulates through circulation pipe 100B to convert the input temperature T4 of the circulating fluid to a temperature ( Increase to T5). Circulating fluid in the outer circulation pipe 202B is reduced to temperature T6. The combined fluid exits the solar collector at a temperature T7 which provides a reduced temperature T7 for the additional solar thermal collector 400X. The result from the effects of embodiments of the present invention on the system level, ie on the solar array, is a reduction to the temperature of the circulating fluid, thus removing excess heat from the interior of the collector. Embodiments of the present invention facilitate solar arrays to passively limit the temperature within the solar array. This effectively limits the internal temperature of the solar collector, protecting the solar unit from degradation or significant damage.

Although the embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4 is effective, one preferred embodiment features a thermal siphon independent of the circulating fluid and the internal circulating pipe 100. 5 is a diagram of a sealed insulated solar panel with independent thermal siphons. The third set of siphon circulation pipes 500 is in thermal contact with the circulation pipe 100 and thus in thermal contact with an interior region of the insulated solar panel comprising the absorber 30. Compared to FIG. 2, where the (inner) circulation pipe 100 is connected to the outer circulation pipe 202, the siphon circulation pipe 500 is connected to the outer circulation pipe 202 to form a closed system in which the circulation fluid is independent. Form. That is, the circulating fluid of the inner circulation pipe 100 is independent of the circulating fluid of the siphon circulation pipe 500 and the outer circulation pipe 202.

The system of siphon circulation pipe 500 and external circulation pipe 202 functions as a thermal siphon for drawing excess heat from inside the solar collector, limiting the internal temperature of the solar collector. Actuator 480 functions similarly to the description with reference to FIG. 2, operating the thermal siphon, allowing normal operation of the solar collector until the actuator 480 reaches a pre-defined temperature at which it opens. When the thermal siphon is activated, heat is absorbed by the circulating fluid in the siphon circulation pipe 500. The circulating fluid circulates counterclockwise (as can be seen in the present figures) through the circulating connector pipe 502 to the outer circulating pipe 202. Heat is dissipated from an external circulation pipe 202 in thermal contact with the environment of the solar panel. The circulating fluid continues to circulate counterclockwise through the open actuator 480 to the internal circulation pipe 100 where the process is repeated. In an alternative implementation similar to the description with reference to FIG. 2, the external circulation pipe 202 may release heat from the circulating fluid via the metal cover heat sink 204 or via the case of the sealed solar collector. have. Alternatively and / or additionally, the outer circulation pipe 202 of the heat siphon can be located outside the sealed solar collector.

In one embodiment where the actuator 480 is a passive actuator, the thermosiphon system is a passive system and thus does not require connections such as power input, communication, or control.

Referring to FIG. 6A, a diagram of one exemplary embodiment of a fluid venting pipe, a sealed insulated solar panel includes an interior portion 604A in thermal contact with an interior region of an insulated solar panel comprising an absorber 30, and an environment. Characterized by a venting pipe 600A having an outer portion 606A in thermal contact with it. Venting pipe 600A facilitates venting of excess heat from inside the solar collector, thereby limiting the internal temperature of the solar collector. When the internal temperature of the solar collector is raised, the temperature of the venting fluid in the internal portion of the venting pipe rises. Actuator 480 functions similarly to the description with reference to FIG. 2 to allow normal operation of the solar collector until the actuator 480 reaches a pre-defined temperature at which it is opened, thereby providing a pre-limited amount of heated Vent the venting fluid into the environment. Venting the heated fluid reduces the temperature (and / or pressure) in the venting pipe, dissipating excess internal heat of the solar collector into the environment. The repetition of the heating and venting process may continuously draw excess heat from the solar panel, limiting the internal temperature of the solar collector.

Referring to FIG. 6A, although the embodiment described above is efficient, one preferred embodiment features a steam venting pipe as shown in FIG. 6B, which is a diagram of one exemplary embodiment of a steam venting pipe. The operation of the vapor venting pipe is similar to that of the fluid venting pipe. The sealed insulated solar panel includes a vapor venting pipe 600B having an inner portion 604B in thermal contact with an inner region of the insulated solar panel comprising an absorber 30, and an outer portion 606B in thermal contact with the environment. It features. When the internal temperature of the solar collector rises, the temperature of the fluid in the internal part of the venting pipe rises and evaporates into steam. Actuator 480 functions similarly to the description with reference to FIG. 2 to allow normal operation of the solar collector until the actuator 480 reaches a pre-defined temperature at which it is opened, thereby providing a pre-limited amount of heated Vent the vapor into the environment. Venting the heated steam reduces the temperature (and / or pressure) in the venting pipe, dissipating excess internal heat of the solar collector into the environment.

When the internal temperature drops to the normal operating temperature, the fluid input pipe 602 may be used to deliver liquid into the interior portions 606A, 606B of the venting pipes 600A, 600B. If the internal temperature of the solar collector remains excessive, the fluid input pipe 602 can be used to supply additional fluid to the internal portion of the venting pipe and continue to allow temperature limiting operation.

In one implementation, the fluid input pipe 602 is open to the vapor venting pipe 600B. When steam is vented from steam venting pipe 600B via actuator 480, the amount of fluid sufficient to replace the vented stream flows from fluid input pipe 602 to inner portion 604B.

An alternative implementation adds a second temperature operated valve (not shown in FIG. 6B) to the vapor venting pipe 600B near the fluid input pipe 602. When the temperature of the fluid inside the vapor venting pipe 600B rises to a pre-defined temperature, the second temperature actuating valve opens to allow additional cooler fluid to enter the venting pipe 600B.

In one alternative implementation, actuator valve 480 may be replaced with an air vent. Air vents are known in the art and are typically used to leak unwanted air from a circulation pipe. Air vents typically operate as floats that are typically suspended in the water of the circulation pipe and are normally closed. When unwanted air is in the circulation pipe, the system is designed so that air accumulates in place of the air vent. When sufficient air accumulates, the air vent is opened and unwanted air is released from the circulation pipe into the environment. In contrast to the typical use of air vents, the actuator valve 480 can be replaced with an air vent configured to open (actuate) when sufficient steam accumulates, thereby venting a pre-defined amount of heated steam into the environment.

In other implementations, the actuator valve 480 may be a temperature operated two-way valve selected to open substantially at the temperature of the boiling point of the fluid in the inner portion 604B. When the fluid boils and converts into steam, a temperature operated two-way valve is activated, thereby venting the steam into the environment.

The internal fluid, the geometry of the venting pipes 600A, 600B, and the operating parameters of the actuator 480 may be selected to limit the internal temperature of the solar collector as appropriate for the desired use of the solar collector. Based on this description, depending on the use of the solar collector, one skilled in the art can select the amount, location, configuration, and connections of venting pipes, actuators, and fluid input pipes. Because the fluid vents into the environment, it is desirable and highly recommended that an environmentally safe and approved fluid, such as water, be used in the vent pipe.

The venting pipe temperature limiting system can be implemented independently of the sealed components of the solar collector. This feature facilitates the limitation of the internal temperature via thermal coupling with the environment, but allows isolation of the internal components of the solar collector from the environment.

Referring to FIG. 7A, which is an illustration of one exemplary embodiment of an air venting sub-system, a sealed insulated solar panel includes an inner portion 704A in thermal contact with an interior region of an insulated solar panel comprising an absorber 30, And an air venting conduit 700A having outer portions 706A and 708A in thermal contact with the environment. The air venting temperature limiting sub-system can be implemented independently of the sealed part of the solar collector. That is, the air venting conduit is topologically part of the environment while the transparent insulator and other components are sealed inside the solar collector and isolated from the environment. This feature allows the isolation of the internal components of the solar collector from the environment while facilitating the limitation of the internal temperature via thermal contact with the environment.

In contrast, with environmental air cooling, conventional systems are connected to components to cool with the environment. Stefan J. US Patent No. 7143762 to Stephen J. Harrison et al., A method and apparatus for solar collectors with integrated stagnation temperature control, describes a temperature actuated damper that allows air from the environment to pass through the interior of the solar collector. As mentioned above, allowing contact between the internal components of the solar collector and the environment can have a detrimental effect on efficiency and lead to degradation of the components and solar collector. Sealing is particularly important in insulated solar panels because otherwise condensation is caused on the inner surface of the collector front panel where the transparent insulator comes into contact with the transparent cover of the panel. Therefore, there is a need for a system that allows for isolation of internal components of the solar collector from the environment while allowing for limitations of the internal temperature via thermal coupling with the environment.

The air venting conduit 700A facilitates excess heat venting from inside the solar collector, thereby limiting the internal temperature of the solar collector. When the internal temperature of the solar collector is raised, the temperature of the air in the internal portion of the air venting conduit rises. The pair of actuators 480 function similarly to the description with reference to FIG. 2, allowing normal operation of the solar collector until the pair of actuators 480 reaches a pre-defined temperature at which they are opened, Relatively lower air from the air is allowed to circulate in thermal contact with the inner region of the solar collector. The flow of air from the environment through the air venting conduit reduces the temperature in the interior region of the solar collector, dissipating excess internal heat of the solar collector into the environment. One alternative configuration is shown in FIG. 7B, which is a diagram of a second exemplary implementation of an air venting conduit, wherein actuator 480 is located on the opposite end of the air venting conduit at the bottom and top of the solar collector. do. The air venting conduit 700B has an inner portion 704B in thermal contact with an inner region of an insulated solar panel that includes an absorber 30, and outer portions 706B and 708B in thermal contact with the environment. Flow through the air venting conduit is effected by the thermal siphon effect. Air flow in the air venting conduits 700A, 700B is made possible by the chimmy effect, whereby relatively lower air from the environment results in the region of the first outer portion 708B (circulation input pipe 200B). From) through the upper opening from the second outer portion 706B (in the region of the circulating output pipe 470) and in thermal contact with the inner region of the insulated solar panel where the temperature of the air increases. By rising from the air venting conduit.

In a preferred embodiment, the lower actuator (actuator 480 in the region of the circulation input pipe 200) is absent and the air venting conduit is open to the atmosphere, while the actuator in the region of the single upper actuator (circulation output pipe 470) (480)) is used. When the single top actuator is closed, the air flow is confined in the air venting conduit to allow normal operation of the solar collector until the pre-determined temperature at which the single top actuator is opened is reached, allowing the air to enter the air venting conduit 700A, 700B).

While the internal temperature of the solar collector is exceeded, the actuator (s) 480 may be open and the air venting sub-system may continue to dissipate excess heat from the internal region of the solar collector. When the internal temperature drops to normal operating temperature, the actuator 480 is closed (which can be closed manually or actively) to allow normal operation of the solar collection system. The geometry of the air venting conduits 700A, 700B, and the operating parameters of the actuator 480 may be selected to limit the internal temperature of the solar collector as appropriate for the desired use of the solar collector. Depending on the use of the solar collector, those skilled in the art will be able to select the location, configuration, and connection of air venting conduits and actuators based on this description.

It should be noted that the above examples, numbers used, and illustrative calculations assist in describing embodiments of the present invention. Careless printing and mathematical errors do not compromise the usefulness and basic advantages of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that the above description is intended to serve only as an example and that many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (41)

(a) a solar collector comprising an absorber and an internal insulator; And
(b) includes a heat transfer mechanism,
The heat transfer mechanism
(i) inside the solar collector and on the first side of the inner insulator
A first section in thermal contact with the absorbent therein;
(ii) a second section on a second side of the inner insulator, wherein the second
The second side faces the first side, the side of the solar collector
A second section in thermal contact with the external environment; And
(iii) includes an actuator,
Below a pre-limited temperature of the first side, the actuator keeps the first side and the second side thermally isolated, and above the pre-limited temperature the actuator is moved from the first side to the second side. A device, operative to enable heat transfer. The method of claim 1,
The solar collector is a sealed insulated solar panel. The method of claim 2,
And the second section is inside the sealed insulated solar panel. The method of claim 1,
And the second section is external to the solar collector. The method of claim 1,
Wherein the environment comprises a support structure of the solar collector. The method of claim 1,
And the second section is in thermal contact with a portion of an outer casing of the solar collector. The method of claim 1,
And the pre-defined temperature is in the range of 90 to 120 ° C. The method of claim 1,
And the pre-defined temperature is in the range of 120-220 ° C. The method of claim 1,
The heat transfer mechanism is a heat pipe,
The heat pipe is:
(a) a first end of said heat pipe corresponding to said first section of said heat transfer mechanism;
(b) a second end of said heat pipe corresponding to said second section of said heat transfer mechanism;
(c) a transfer pipe for transferring heat between the first section and the second section; And
(d) a working fluid inside the heat pipe configured to function with the heat pipe as the actuator. The method of claim 1,
The heat transfer mechanism is:
(a) an internal circulation pipe corresponding to the first section;
(b) an external circulation pipe corresponding to the second section;
(c) an actuator valve corresponding to the actuator, wherein the actuator valve connects the inner circulation pipe to the outer circulation pipe at a first location; And
(d) a circulation connector pipe connecting the inner circulation pipe to the outer circulation pipe at a second location;
Below the pre-limited temperature of the circulating fluid in the internal circulation pipe, the actuator valve is closed and the circulating fluid flows in the internal circulating pipe, the actuator valve is opened above the pre-limited temperature of the circulating fluid and the circulation Fluid flows from the inner circulation pipe through the actuator valve to the inner circulation pipe and through the circulation connector pipe to transfer heat from the first side to the environment. 11. The method of claim 10,
The first location is in a circulating input pipe. 11. The method of claim 10,
The second location is in a circulating output pipe. The method of claim 1,
The heat transfer mechanism is a heat siphon,
The thermal siphon is:
(a) a siphon circulation pipe corresponding to the first location;
(b) an external circulation pipe corresponding to the second location;
(c) an actuator valve corresponding to the actuator, wherein the actuator valve comprises: an actuator valve connecting the siphon circulation pipe to the external circulation pipe at a first location; And
(d) a circulation connector pipe connecting the siphon circulation pipe to the external circulation pipe at a second location;
The actuator valve is closed below a pre-limited temperature of the circulating fluid in the siphon circulation pipe, the actuator valve is opened above the pre-limited temperature and the circulating fluid is passed from the siphon circulation pipe via the circulating connector pipe. And flows through the external circulation pipe and through the actuator valve to the siphon circulation pipe to transfer heat via the heat siphon effect from the first side to the environment. The method of claim 1,
The heat transfer mechanism is a venting tube,
The venting tube is:
(a) an inner portion corresponding to the first section;
(b) an outer portion corresponding to the second section opening to an external environment of the solar collector;
(c) an actuator valve corresponding to the actuator, the actuator valve connecting the first section to the first section; And
(d) a fluid input pipe operatively connected to said first section;
Below the pre-limited temperature of the venting fluid in the first section, the actuator is closed and the first section and the second section are substantially heat isolated, and above the pre-limited temperature, the actuator is opened, the A portion of the venting fluid is released from the first section to the environment to transfer heat from the first side to the environment, and the fluid input pipe provides an additional venting fluid that is substantially equal to the amount of vented fluid released. Device. 15. The method of claim 14,
At substantially the pre-defined temperature a portion of the venting fluid is evaporated into steam and the vapor is released into the environment when the actuator is opened. 15. The method of claim 14,
Substantially a portion of the venting fluid evaporates into steam at substantially the pre-defined temperature and the actuator is an air vent configured to open when sufficient steam accumulates in the first section, whereby a pre-limited amount of heated steam To vent the environment into the environment. The method of claim 1,
The solar collector is a sealed insulated solar panel and the heat transfer mechanism is an air venting conduit, the air venting conduit:
(a) an inner portion corresponding to the first section;
(b) an outer portion corresponding to the second section and open to the outside environment of the sealed insulated solar panel; And
(c) an actuator valve corresponding to said actuator and connecting said first section to said section,
Below the pre-limited temperature of the first side, the actuator valve is closed, the first section and the second section are substantially thermally isolated, and the actuator valve is opened above the pre-limited temperature so that air is And transfer heat from the first side to the environment through the first section and through the actuator valve from the first region of the. (a) a sealed insulated solar panel comprising an absorber and an internal insulator; And
(b) includes a heat pipe,
The heat pipe is:
(i) a first side of the inner insulation inside the sealed insulated solar panel
A first section in thermal contact with said absorber on said portion;
(ii) a second section on a second side of the internal insulator, wherein the second
The side faces the first side and the second section is the mill
A second section in thermal contact with the external environment of the rod insulated solar panel;
And
(iii) transfer heat between the first section and the second section.
Includes one delivery pipe,
Below the pre-defined temperature of the first side, the first section and the second section are substantially heat isolated, and above the pre-defined temperature the heat pipe transfers heat from the first section to the second section. Device, operable to deliver. The method of claim 18,
And the second section is inside the sealed insulated solar panel. The method of claim 18,
And the second section is external to the sealed insulated solar panel. The method of claim 18,
And the pre-defined temperature is in the range of 90 to 120 ° C. The method of claim 18,
And the pre-defined temperature is in the range of 120 to 220 ° C. The method of claim 18,
Below the pre-limited temperature the heat pipe is insulated between the first section and the second section and thermal contact between the first section and the second section at or above the pre-limited temperature. And configured to act as a passive thermal switch providing a. (a) a sealed insulated solar panel comprising an inner circulation pipe on the first side of the inner insulator and in thermal contact with the absorber;
(b) an external circulation pipe on the second side of the inner insulation, the second side facing the first side, the outer circulation pipe being in thermal contact with the external environment of the sealed insulated solar panel pipe;
(c) an actuator valve connecting said inner circulation pipe to said outer circulation pipe at a first location; And
(d) a circulation connector pipe connecting said inner circulation pipe to said outer circulation pipe at a second location,
Below the pre-limited temperature of the circulating fluid in the inner circulation pipe, the actuator valve is closed and the circulating fluid flows in the inner circulation pipe, and above the pre-limited temperature, the actuator valve is opened and the circulating fluid And from the inner circulation pipe to the inner circulation pipe via the actuator valve and through the circulation connector pipe to transfer heat from the first side to the environment. 25. The method of claim 24,
The external circulation pipe is inside the sealed insulated solar panel. 25. The method of claim 24,
The external circulation pipe is external to the sealed insulated solar panel. 25. The method of claim 24,
And the actuator valve is a manual actuator valve. 25. The method of claim 24,
And the actuator valve is an active actuator valve. 25. The method of claim 24,
The first location is in a circulating input pipe. 25. The method of claim 24,
The second location is in a circulating output pipe. (a) a sealed insulated solar panel comprising an inner circulation pipe in thermal contact with the absorber on the first side of the inner insulator;
(b) a siphon circulation pipe in thermal contact with the internal circulation pipe;
(c) an outer circulation pipe on the second side of the inner insulation, the second side facing the first side, the outer circulation pipe being in thermal contact with the outer environment of the sealed insulated solar panel Circulation pipes;
(d) an actuator valve connecting said siphon circulation pipe to said external circulation pipe at a first location; And
(e) a circulation connector pipe connecting the siphon circulation pipe to the external circulation pipe at a second location;
Below the pre-limited temperature of the circulating fluid in the siphon circulation pipe, the actuator valve is closed, above the pre-limited temperature the actuator valve is opened and the circulating fluid is passed from the siphon circulation pipe via the circulation connector pipe. And flows into said siphon circulation pipe through said outer circulation pipe and via said actuator valve to transfer heat from said first side to said environment. The method of claim 31, wherein
The external circulation pipe is inside the sealed insulated solar panel. The method of claim 31, wherein
The external circulation pipe is external to the sealed insulated solar panel. The method of claim 31, wherein
And the actuator valve is a manual actuator valve. The method of claim 31, wherein
And the actuator valve is an active actuator valve. The method of claim 31, wherein
The first location is in a circulating input pipe. The method of claim 31, wherein
The second location is in a circulating output pipe. (a) a sealed insulated solar panel comprising an absorber and a heat insulator; And
(b) comprises a venting tube,
The venting tube is:
(i) on the first side of the insulator inside the sealed insulated solar panel
A first section in thermal contact with the absorbent at
(ii) a second section on the second side of the insulator, wherein the second side
A part faces the first side and the second section seals the
A second section, which opens to an outside environment of the insulated solar panel;
(iii) an actuator valve connecting said first section to said section; And
(iv) includes a fluid input pipe operatively connected to said first section
Together,
Below the pre-limited temperature of the venting fluid in the first section, the actuator valve is closed and the first section and the second section are substantially thermally isolated, and the actuator valve is opened above the pre-limited temperature. ; A portion of the venting fluid is discharged from the first section to the environment to transfer heat from the first side to the environment; And the fluid input pipe provides an additional venting fluid that is substantially equal to a constant amount of vented vented fluid. The method of claim 38,
At substantially the pre-defined temperature, the vapor is released into the environment when a portion of the venting fluid is evaporated into steam and the actuator valve is opened. The method of claim 38,
At substantially the pre-defined temperature a portion of the venting fluid is an air vent configured to evaporate into steam and open the actuator valve when sufficient steam accumulates in the first section, whereby a pre-limited amount of heated A device for venting steam into the environment. (a) a sealed insulated solar panel comprising an absorber and a heat insulator; And
(b) includes an air venting duct,
The air venting duct is:
(i) on the first side of the insulator inside the sealed insulated solar panel
A first section in thermal contact with the absorbent therein;
(ii) a second section on the second side of the insulator, wherein the second side
A part faces the first side and the second section seals the
A second section, which opens to an outside environment of the insulated solar panel; And
(iii) an actuator valve connecting said first section to said section;
≪ / RTI &
Below the pre-limited temperature of the first side, the actuator valve is closed, the first section and the second section are substantially thermally isolated, and the actuator valve is opened above the pre-limited temperature so that air is And transfer heat from the first side to the environment through the first section and via the actuator valve from the first region of the environment.

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